2022 End of Year Book Survey

Hi everyone!

Wow. I haven’t posted in over a year. The end of 2021 and the entirety of 2022 have been, rough. To say the least. I went through some shit, and I don’t know why I would say that in here, a blog I have abandoned who almost nobody fucking reads, but it’s kind of freeing. Anyway, I stopped reading completely, nothing was grabbing my attention. I did manage to read a couple of books here and there, but I don’t even remember most of the books I read, because I was so out of it.

I think I’m slowly getting better, slowly reclaiming my passion and coming into myself. I don’t know how consistent I’ll be with the blog, I never was a very consistent blogger to begin with, and I work better when there’s no pressure on my shoulders, so we’ll see.

I ended up reading 40 books in 2022, mora than half of those in the last couple of months, and like I said, I don’t really remember much of what I’ve read, so I feel like this is a good general post to talk about them all and move on to better, brighter things in 2023.

1. Best book you read in 2022

My favorite book of the year is The Invisible Live of Addie Larue by V. E. Schwab. I know I’ve just said that I don’t remember the books I’ve read, but this one in particular is unforgettable. Granted, it took me months to get throught it, all because of my attention spam, not the books fault, but I absolutely loved every single page in here. It has such a dark, whimsical feel to it that warms my heart. I think it’s one of my all time favorite books, and one I can’t wait to share with the people I love. It brought me so much joy, I cannot say enough good things about it.

2. Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn’t?

A Worthy Opponent (Wicked Villains, #3) by Katee Robert. I’ve read the first two books in this spicy romance series a couple of times each, I adore them. I’ve always wanted to continue on with the series and I read the rest of them this year but I was left kind of disappointed with all of them. They were all fine, there was nothing wrong in particular but none of them had the same spark that makes me love the first two books so deeply.

3. Most surprising (in a good or bad way) book you read?

In a good way Lovelight Farms by B. K. Borrison. I know this romance, christmassy book is very popular right now, but I have not been on the booksphere in a minute and I hadn’t heard much about it when I read it so I didn’t know what to expect. It’s, without a doubt, my absolute favorite romance of the year. It’s friends to lovers with fake-dating, available on KU and I’m already itching for the sequel.

In a bad way Lore by Alexandria Bracken. One of my friends bought this for me because she really loved it and she knows I adore Greek mythology, but this was a huge let down for me. I was bored for most of the book, I wasn’t invested in any of the characters and found myself skim-reading half of the story. Though to be fair I think I might be growing out of YA books…

4. Book you “pushed” the most people to read (And did they?)

I’d love to not repeat answers but this TAG has 35 questions and I’ve read 40 books so it’s bound to happen.. The Invisible Life of Addie LRue by V. E. Schwab is hands down the book I pushed more people to read. I buddy read this with my girl, her mom has read it, I bought it for a friend, my mom is also going to read this. It’s that good.

5. Best series you started in 2022? Best sequel of 2022? Best series ender of 2020?

Best series I started Lovelight Farms by B. K. Borrison

Best sequel The Companyy of Fiends by Kathryhn Moon

Best series ender Croocked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo (reread)

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2022?

I have said many many times before that I don’t like historical fiction, I never want to pick it up blah blah blah. And all of that was true, until the end of last year when I gave historical romances a chance and fell head over heals in love with Elisa Braden. I’m currently making my way through her Rescued from Ruin series, but my absolute favorite from her has to be The Devil is a Marquess.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

I don’t typically read nonfiction but I’ve read three this year and given the three of them 5 stars. I can’t choose a favorite from them but for the sake of the question I’ll go with Hermanito by Ibrahima Balde and Amets Arzallus Antia. It’s Ibahima’s story as he crosses Africa looking for his little brother. It was absolutely heartbreaking.

8. Most anction-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

I read Book Lovers by Emily Henry while I was on vacation, visitting different countries and still, I had to carry it with me everywhere I went. I took every chance I got to read this novel because I could not put it down. I devoured it in a couple of days and that’s something I hadn’t done in the entire year up until this book.

9. Best book you read in 2022 that you are most likely to re-read next year?

Say Yes to the Duke by Eloise James was the first book I read this year and I loved it. I listened to the audiobook while I was camping with my family and I remember being obsessed with it. However, I read a bunch of historical romances back to back so they have all kind of blurred for me. I do remember that this one I particularly loved so I can’t wait to revisit it.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2022?

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco has a stunning cover.

11. Most memorable chracater of 2022

Addie from The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab. I’m sorry I keep mentioning this book, but I can’t help it, it’s flawless.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2022?

Again… The Invisible Life of Addie Larue

13. Most thought-provoking/life-changing book read in 2022?

Sitting Pretty by Rebecah Tausing is a non-fiction book in which the author talks about her life and her experience with disability and able-people. As someone who is able and works with people with dissabilities, I can account for the fact that we do NOT listen to their perspective as much as we should. I have a personal goal of reading as much own-voices as I can especially when it comes to the people I work with, so reading books like this is always a learning experience from me.

However, I cannot recommend this enough even if you don’t work in the field or know someone personally with a dissability. This not only was thought-provoking, it was engaging, fast-paced, addictive and beautifully written. One of the best books I’ve read this year for sure.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2022 to finally read?

Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire. I’m slowly but surely making my way through this series but I always manage to stay behind. This installment was so incredible, I have given every single book 5 stars so far in the series, but this one in particular was so dark and gritty and fantastical.

15. Favorite passage/Quote from a book you read in 2022?

“Books, she has found, are a way to live a thousand lives–or to find strength in a very long one.”
― V.E. Schwab, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

16. Shortest and longest book you read in 20202?

Shortest: A Very Krampus Holiday by Katee Robert

Longest: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

17. Book that shocked you the most?

This is a hard question.. I haven’t read that many books this year that I would describe as shocking. I’m going to go with one of my most recent reads The Lone Wolf’s Rejected Mate by Cate. C. Wells. This is a paranormal-romance following warewolfs but the shoking thing in here are the events that unfold during the last quearter. If you are looking for drama look no further.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Luka and Stella from Lovelight Farms (Lovelight #1) by B. K. Borrison.

19. Fvorite non-romantic relationship of the year?

The sisters from The Near Witch by V. E. Schwab

20. Favorite book you read in 2022 from an author you’ve read previously?

It would be The Invisible Life of Addie Larue but to change things up I also really loved The Company of Fiends (Tempting Monsters #2) by Kathryn Moon. One of the steamiest books I’ve read in my life but I also really enjoy the plot and the characters in here.

21. Best book you read in 2022 that you read based solely on a recommendation from sombody else/peer pressure?

I read Praise (Salacious Players Club #1) by Sara Cate becuase everyone and their mothers was praising about it. I am now another person who praises about it.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2022?

Addie from Addie LaRue

23. Best 2022 debut you read?

I’m Glad my Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy it’s sooo well written.

24. Best worldbuilding/most vivid setting you read this year?  

The Wayward Children’s world is my absolute favorite because it’s made of a million different fantasy worlds but The Moors will always have a special place in my heart.

25. Book that put a smile on your face/was the most fun to read?

When a Girl Loves an Earl (Rescued from Ruin #5) by Elisa Braiden. Too cute.

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2022?

Hermanito by Ibrahima Balde and translated and Amets Arzallus Antia. I sobbed.

27. Hidden gem of the year?

Santa, Baby by Eliza McLane. I know the cover might make you think really? Hidden Gem? But listen, I read a lot of chirstmassy romances this past month, and this one definitely stands out. Not only was it steamy, but I loved the couple, their chemistry and the romance. I’m thinking of preordering the next book in this series of companion novellas because I honestly really loved it and I wasn’t expecting to.

28. Book that crushed your soul

I’m Glad my Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy is a nonficition memoir I’m sure it’s going to be featured in a lot of people’s favorites of the year. And for good reason. This book is phenomenally written and even funny at times, which is such a difficult thing to accoomplish when you are dealing with such a heavy topic. My heart goes to this girl and I can’t to see where she goes from here.

29. Most unique book you read in 2022?

I honestly don’t know what to write here… I’m going to go with A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone simply because the protagonist is a porn star and that’s something we don’t usually see in books, especially traditionally published books. Plus I also really loved this story and wanted an opportunity to showcase it.

30. Book that made you the most mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)

Sitting Pretty by Rebecah Tausing made me pretty mad. Not because I didn’t like it, I loved it, but because how we treat people who are different than us. It’s disgusting.

31. One book that you didn’t get to in 2022 but will be your number 1 priority in 2023?

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuinston for sure. She wrote one of my all time favorite books, and this was my most anticipated release of 2022.

32. Book you are most anticipating for 2023(non-debut)?

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert. I’m dying for new stories by the queen and my absolute favorite romance author. Although it’s YA and that makes me a bit weary.

33. 2023 debut you are most anticipating

She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran. It’s horror and Im getting really into the genre, plus the cover is stunning.

34. Series ending/a sequel you are most anticipating in 2023?

Series ending: Along Came Amor (Primas of Power #3) by Alexis Daria

Series sequel: Hell Bent (Alex Stern #2) by Leigh Bardugo

35. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging life in 2023?

I hope to read more things I love.

How was your reading year? Have you also done the year survey? Let me know!

Until next time,

Leyre